As a door closes on an opportunity, another one is not guaranteed to open nearby. Plus, they tend to open when they want to, not on any rhyme or reason that follows your work to be prepared for any opportunity.

The phrase ‘follow your passion’ is getting much-deserved hate from the personal development world because of the ease it can be used to manipulate and mislead. Following your passion is not necessarily bad advice, but it rarely comes with a manageable financial plan attached.

Whatever issues you face, if you can put a dollar value on it, whether just a single dollar or a million dollars, the problem becomes solvable. Even if you don’t currently have a million dollars to solve it.

Success is possible through relationships, as no one travels through this life all alone. Success is even possible if a partner relationship moves toward the cool side. Gaining success and maintaining the relationship will be challenging, but it is possible.

If a person faces deserved group criticism, the urge to join the fray in the verbal beatdown is high. Resist this urge, as it does help in teaching a lesson already learned. It just brings extra ugly to the situation, often making it worse.

Some people have trouble thinking of themselves as valuable unless told by someone else. Some people believe their value is better portrayed by tearing other people down. You can help them out in both cases by slathering on more compliments to people.

This week’s message was inspired by a rennet post on Seth Godin’s blog that made me evaluate what motivates me in my pursuits. Is it reaching the stated goal or just the journey to get there?

The best time to question the consequence of your actions is after you have survived an ordeal. The second-best time to question the consequences of your actions is the moment you begin to see the consequences of your actions.

Learn to endure 'stupid questions' as questions asked by people who truly don't know the answer. Learn to endure the people who tend to claim, 'I'm just trying to ask a question,' as people determined to be jerks despite the situation.

Want to feel empowered and better about yourself and your life? Face your fears and work toward that goal alluding to you. Just take it one tiny step at a time.